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Lesson From Chuby Checker-Teach Folks How To Twist in Your Presentation

Chubby Checker taught folks how to twist in his song presentation. He even engaged them by asking a question during the song. You can do the same thing. Make a point in your presentation by teaching your audience how to do something in a fun way. Engage their mind, their body and make them laugh while doing it!

Plan Time To Watch And Study TV

Plan time to watch TV. Wow, you are probably saying, “Are you kidding, who has time?”
Well I am suggesting that you make the time to watch how people act on TV shows. Actually, I want you to study the actors.

There is so much to learn from actors regarding voice usage and body language.
I even, at times, watch soap operas because they often over act. Yet, they really show great examples of pausing, vocal variety and gestures.
Imagine using some of that in your next presentation?
What do you think?

Presentation Tips From World Champion Speaker

Look at the video of a World Champion Speaker from Toastmasters and fellow member of National Speakers Association

Thirty Seconds to Win or Lose

Diane Diresta is the guest blogger today. She is a presentation skills expert with a message that will encourage you to start your presentation with a good opening.

It takes 30 seconds or less for an audience to decide to listen or tune out.

Your opening must grab and focus attention.
Most people I coach have difficulty getting started. People are most nervous at the beginning of a speech. Even when their speech is well organized they hem and haw during their opening.
It’s like revving up a car on a cold, winter day. It takes time to get the motor running.
They may start with “So…I want to tell you about…” or “Good morning, um, I think my idea is, I feel this is a good idea..”

This scattered approach will set you up for failure. Your opening must be crisp and focused. The way to achieve that is to write your opening line and memorize it.
Recently, I worked with someone who had a technology product that would benefit the audience. But it took the speaker too long to get to the point.

We worked on refining the opening: “I’m going to show you a way to make your life easier. It will enable you to pull the data faster.”
The speaker captured their attention, focused the presentation, and sounded more confident.
The presentation was a success.

When it comes to opening statements-less is more.

Put On A Show

Put on a show every time you present. Why? Because folks love to be entertained. You can do this by adding enhanced vocal variety to your voice, extra gestures and lots, I mean lots of stories.
Will it decrease your content? No way. The idea is to grab the attention of your audience and keep that attention on your topic.
For more ideas check out Rap Tap and Act

Songs Makes Your Vocal Inflection POP

Songs can make your vocal inflection exciting and fun. When you listen to the words of favorite song pay close attention to how the the singer puts emphasis on certain words. What would happen if you sang parts of your presentation for practice.

That’s right sing a part of your presentation and listen for how you are forced to put more inflection certain words. Why? Because you would bore yourself if you just spoke the words without any “beat” of the music.

So, find some music ,without the words, and add the words of your presentation to it.

Learn From Teens

There was a story reported about a group of teens who prepared and presented an awesome presentation using skits and Power point on the plight of homelessness in their community. I am so very proud of them. Read the news article here.

Why Add Video and Audio to Your Powerpoint? Pt. 1

Powerpoint can be a powerful presentation aide. But that is exactly what it is AN AIDE,  assistant and application that can transfer your information in a visual format. Yet, often that is forgotten by many well meaning presenters.

When the entire presentation is focused on the Powerpoint you will run the risk of killing your audience! I know those are fighting words but you must be an audience participant to understand how it feels to come alive only when the presentation is OVER. How many people have you seen coming out of a presentation looking like “road kill”?.

So my suggestion has always been to provide transitions in your Powerpoint presentation. Think of the transition like a commercial between your TV movie. Even if you are asleep when the commercial comes on it will often wake you up. Why?, mostly because the volume or vocal tones goes up.

So let’s pump up the volume of our Powerpoints by adding an audio or video.  You have the option of introducing the audio or video before the slide appears. Or you can simply press  the letter B  on your keyboard to blacken the screen in a room with lights on or W on your keyboard to create a white screen when the lights are off.

Use this as a transition to introduce to audio or video slide by interacting with the audience. You could ask them to listen or observe something specific. You can also use this technique after you have played the slide to ask them questions or generate a discussion. Either way you are keeping them AWAKE.

Here are two resources you can use. If you know of others just make a comment below.

Add audio or video resource #1 

Add audio or video resource #2 

Keep rapping, tapping and acting,

Rosie

Technology Does Not Have To Be Boring!

Technology topics and tool sharing does not have to be boring. As a matter of fact you can use technology to pump up your presentation. Consider adding multimedia to your Powerpoint and adobe acrobat pdf!

And sometimes simply presenting your topic with excitement can be contagious.

Speaking of technology there is going to be a powerful full day conference , Technology and YOU ,sponsored by the New Jersey Chapter of National Speakers Association on May, 9, 2008.

I will be there doing a Meet The Pro’s session on blogging and I PROMISE I WILL NOT BE BORING!

Get more information below.

flyer-2008.pdf

Song Parody-Try it!

Song Parody is a fun thing to keep your audience awake and alive. Here are two quick examples. They can also be very funny.